Blundell’s www.blundells.org D IARY T HE M AGAZINE FOR THE B LUNDELL’ S C OMMUNITY I SSUE N O : 9 Speech Day, Prize Giving and Leavers’ Ball Rising stars Cricket at Blundell’s INSIDE: Fun and games - The Ten Tors - Blundell’s in 1986 It’s a Knockout at 35, 45 and 55 mile A documentary of life at School House reports the School 25 years ago OLD BLUNDELLIAN CLUB NEWS | OB DAY - 400TH ANNIVERSARY | DEVELOPMENT OFFICE NEWS C LASSIC V IEW Commemoration Hymn And God said, Let there be light: and there was light GREAT Lord of wisdom, life and light, His word from East to slumbering West Before the hills were founded Went out through all creation; Thy quickening breath dissolved the night Our far off island woke and blest And stirred through deeps unsounded Thy Name with adoration. Beneath Thy hand the formless earth We kneel where our forefathers knelt, And ocean rolled asunder, They trod these courts before us, And in Thy likeness man had birth, Unseen, though near, our hearts love felt Thy crowning work and wonder. Their blessings hover o'er us. Through that grey dawn Thou calledst him, We Praise Thy Name for one and all The Commemoration Hymn by A.L. Francis Untaught but not unheeding. Who founded for Thy glory is sung in Chapel every OB day His feet were faint, his lamp was dim, Each ancient School, each Minster tall, Yet Faith discerned Thy leading. To teach their sons Thy story. Age after age and line on line May we, like them, our Lamp display Thy Book unfolded clearer, Of love and wisdom burning, Till, like a flush of morn divine, Till twilight melt in golden day Thy Son proclaimed Thee nearer. At our dear Lord's returning. Amen. A.L. Francis Head Master 1874-1917 H EAD M ASTER’ S I NTRODUCTION I began my introduction to the School at the start of term assembly by saying what an exciting time it is to be here at Blundell's; we are still basking in the warm glow created by the strong praise we received from the OFSTED inspectors, the recently departed Upper Sixth recorded the best A level results we have experienced and the school numbers exceeded 580 for the first time in the School's history. A new term not only brings excited new pupils but also a number of new staff arrive with plenty of enthusiasm and fresh eyes. Andy Southgate has succeeded Nick Folland as the Head Master of the Prep School and Damian Marshman is the new Head of School House. Clare Sherwood, as Director of Studies, steps into the shoes vacated by Eve Jardine-Young, who left us to become Principal of Cheltenham Ladies’ College, an appointment of which we are all very proud. All three have already made a tremendous impact, as have the other new members of staff. It has also been a busy time for the Bursary staff with the completion of the full refurbishment of Francis House and the building of the new fitness centre. As I read this back to myself I am aware that it may sound dangerously self congratulatory, if so I apologise because this is not my intention; what I am trying to show is a genuine pride for the commitment, enthusiasm and achievements of all in the Blundell's community and if I don’t shout this loudly and often, then I suspect the modesty of those around me will preclude them from doing so. Ian Davenport Head Master Blundell’s School Tiverton Devon EX16 4DN Tel: 01884 252543 E-mail: [email protected] www.blundells.org Andy Southgate Damian Marshman Clare Sherwood 1 N EWS IN BRIEF Two Blundell’s teams tackled the gruelling 125 mile DW race this year. In the Junior K2 class Dylan Davies and Gerald Augur finished 45th at Westminster Bridge in 23.41.32, and a staff team of Miss Doak and Mr Wynell- Mayow came 13th in the Endeavour class in 25.53.27. Devizes to Rupert Batting riding high Westminster Rupert Batting had his first experience of international competition as part of an U18 British Eventing squad competing abroad in Le Grand Complét CIC1* held at Haras Du Oxford European Forum Pin, Normandy. He took his younger horse Alex Everett was lucky enough to be sponsored to Not Another Friday under the support and attend the Oxford European Forum recently in guidance of Jane Peters, BE U18 Chairman preparation for his pending Oxford University and Caroline Moore, BE U18 trainer. Whilst application. It involved a week of intense instruction they did their best dressage to date, they from a number of leading lecturers from prestigious were still 15 penalties adrift of the leaders UK institutions such as Oxbridge and LSE. The course (92nd) after dressage. However, a superb aimed to educate students from across the country clear round Cross Country, inside the time, about the social, political and economic dynamics of on the final day, pulled them up 19 contemporary Europe, with the added benefit of places to 73rd overall out of 114 starters. immersing students in Oxford University life through He returned from France to the news that various extra excursions. he has again been selected to represent the South West, and Rupert’s ambition now is to be long-listed for the GBR Junior Team. The Russell ARCHERY Archery has made a popular return to the SH Winner: M. Peper list of activities – William 1st Girl: C. Routledge Stark, Ed O’Brien, Tommy 1st Junior Boy: H. A. R. Charteris Burner and Ricardo 1st Junior Girl: V. E. Boylett Berenguer claim they Right: Bradley Upcott-Fowler 2nd Senior Berry Barker Balance Cup for Endeavour: meant to miss all the Above: Charlotte Routledge 1st girl balloons! Main picture: Mrs K in action! E. R. Hedley-Dent 2 N EWS IN BRIEF REFURBISHMENTS The cycle of boarding house refurbishment continued apace this summer with FH being the final boys’ house getting the full treatment. All windows, furniture, curtains and carpets have been replaced and the boys returned to an unrecognisable FH! The building of a new fitness suite on the western end of the Sports Devon Champions Hall began in July. This is a much needed The U14s scored an impressive 232 runs facility and will be available from the start of when they won the Devon Cup by 20 the January term, suitably kitted-out with a runs in a closely fought game against range of modern and challenging equipment. Devonport High. Dominic Bess, Jack The new building also contains much needed Maunder, Dan Reed and Rory Thomas toilet facilities, which will also be available to scored most of the runs with Dominic users of the sports hall and nearby Astroturf (Captain), being pitches, and also by parents and spectators in Top: FH common room declared MotM for his that region of the School grounds. Below: The Fitness Suite takes shape 45 runs and 5 wicket haul. The U13s were also crowned Devon Champions when they U13 WEST HOCKEY FINALS beat Exeter School by 6 runs, with Ben 16 teams travelled to Millfield for the West Phillips the MotM. of England U13 Hockey Finals. Blundell’s played superbly to win their group, beating Taunton Prep 2-1, Truro 2-1 and Dean Close 4-2. They then lost narrowly to The Elms in the quarter-finals and finished a creditable 5th overall. SQUAD Alice Smith (capt,) Louis Canterbury, Natalie Cotton, Courtney Nation, Emily Coombe, Amy Cross, Ellie MacPherson, Izzy Phillips, Lydia Gibson. The Rev flying high The Junior Department’s Falconry activity U18, U15 & U13 all Devon always proves to be a popular one with Sevens Champions the pupils. They have the opportunity to learn how to fly a variety of birds, In the U18 Devon Schools tournament, including a young Bald Eagle Blundell’s first seven started well, beating the hosts 44-0. In the next pool game they defeated Petroc B team by 38-0 before winning again against Exeter College B. This saw them progress to the quarter final versus Torquay Grammar. This was a stiffer test but the team remained disciplined to record a 22-5 victory. The semi-final was against Exeter College first team, who are the academy for Exeter Chiefs. Despite some ferocious play the attacking flair of the Blundellians was rewarded with a four try to one victory 22-5. This sent the boys through to meet Plymouth College who are the academy for Plymouth Albion. The Plymouth side had an undefeated season in the fifteen aside season and their form showed. The game was well contested with Blundell’s taking the lead. However, Plymouth never gave up and came back to level the scores. Excellent defensive work kept them at bay and Blundell’s managed to score two more tries to seal a satisfying win and to be crowned the Devon National Athletics Champions for 2011. Michael Peper and Ben Clarke both qualified SQUAD: J Lilly D’Cruz, B Goss, R Paxton, W Yard, T Ricketts,C Grainger, G Woofenden, T Cole, Z Bess, J Baughan for the National Athletics Finals at Gateshead representing Devon. 3 Leather on Last ball drama.... A Summer of Cricket 1st X1 The 1st Squad have had another busy cricket season despite the ever-increasing demands of the examination programme. It was a veritable curate’s egg of a year with some very fine performances amongst some rather lacklustre efforts. The better moments included wins over Filton Academy, Millfield A, Plymouth College, Bristol Grammar, Devon Dumplings and the Royal Marines; there was also a rare 20/20 victory over Taunton School to savour.